President Donald Trump has shared an update on gas prices. He acknowledged that they may remain elevated in the coming months. This comes as rising fuel costs continue to weigh on Americans and carry potential political consequences ahead of the midterms.
Donald Trump drops update on gas prices
“It could be, or the same, or maybe a little bit higher, but it should be around the same,” Donald Trump told Fox News‘ “Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo” when asked if oil and gas costs would drop by fall.
GasBuddy data shows the average U.S. price for regular gas has stayed above $4 per gallon for most of April. In February, prices hovered just below $3 per gallon and never exceeded $3.25 over the previous year.
Now, Donald Trump’s update follows weeks of administration claims that the gas price spike was short-term. The war began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched joint bombing campaigns against Iran. Iran responded by closing shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, driving global oil prices up roughly 50%.
Additionally, earlier Sunday, Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. Navy would blockade the strait and intercept ships paying fees to Iran. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he wrote. U.S. Central Command later specified that the blockade applies only to vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports.
Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation in weekend peace talks that failed to produce a deal, posted on X, “Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–$5 gas.”
The Iran war has caused thousands of civilian deaths, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and disrupted global financial markets. Trump’s approval ratings have hit their lowest point of his second term. Polls show most Americans oppose the war and remain frustrated by rising fuel costs, raising Republican concerns about losing congressional control in the midterms. A Democratic majority could launch investigations and block legislative priorities.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV’s war of words escalated to new heights this week, with the president taking direct aim at the pontiff in a fiery social media post. The commander-in-chief did not hold back in his assessment of the first American pope, unleashing a string of sharp criticisms that touched on everything from foreign policy to crime.
Donald Trump calls out Pope Leo in new post
President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV on Sunday. He called the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy Truth Social post. The remarks followed weeks of tension between the two leaders over U.S. military action in the Middle East.
Trump criticized the pope for speaking out against the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. He wrote that he does not want “a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” Trump also took aim at Leo for condemning America’s actions in Venezuela.
“I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA,” Trump wrote. He added that Leo “meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left.” Trump urged the pope to “stop catering to the Radical Left” and “focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician.”
Pope Leo last week called Trump’s threats to “wipe out” Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable.” He urged Americans to contact leaders and members of Congress to call for peace. Leo also criticized the administration’s immigration policies and lamented growing global indifference to violence in his Easter message.
Trump also claimed the Catholic Church only elected Leo because of his American nationality. “He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American,” he wrote. He added, “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews he is “not a big fan of Pope Leo.” The Vatican did not respond to requests for comment.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar onMandatory.com.
Photo Credit: Jordan Curtis Hughes/Bravo via Getty Images
Last week on Real Housewives of Rhode Island, we met Rulla, who is mad at Jo-Ellen for revealing her husband’s cheating scandal. Jo-Ellen claims Rulla and her husband threatened her job over it. Alicia revealed she ran over a woman. Kelsey decided to get everything out in the open with a game at the winery. She admitted she does have another boyfriend. But Liz got angry with Alicia for asking about a rumored affair between her and a friend named Dino. There are a lot of secrets and rumors about these women to unravel!
What happened on Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 Episode 3?
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This week on Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 Episode 3, “Saturday Night Fever Dream,” Kelsey introduces viewers to her other man. Liz throws a Studio 54-themed party for Gerry’s 54th birthday, which Dino attends. Rulla, Jo-Ellen, and their husbands have a big confrontation, but it turns out not to be the most dramatic moment of the night! After Kelsey makes a comment about the Dino affair rumors, Liz kicks her out, and hints at a shady secret from Kelsey’s past.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island take in last week’s revelations
Photo Credit: Noam Galai/Bravo
The Housewives are still recovering from Kelsey’s game. Ashley and Rosie meet in the latter’s under-construction home. Rosie’s husband Rich flips houses as a hobby, but she didn’t realize she’d be living in a house mid-flip! Rosie admits she actually felt bad for rival Jo-Ellen at the winery, because Rulla and Brian crossed a line. But she also says Jo-Ellen thrives being in the middle of the drama.
Meanwhile, Jo-Ellen is annoyed Kelsey didn’t warn her about Rulla. She shares more information on how Brian threatened her job. He sent an email to her boss, contacted a colleague, and complained to HR. Her husband promises to confront Brian, which turns Jo-Ellen on.
Liz tells Gerry that Alicia asked about the Dino rumors. She insists it’s not “some sexy secret.” It started when, after being inseparable from Liz for 14 years, Gerry spent long periods of time at sea. Gerry himself asked Dino to look out for Liz. But people would talk when they saw Dino and Liz out together, and she still wonders what people think.
But she wants to focus on something positive- Gerry’s Studio 54 themed 54th birthday! Everyone will be there … including Rulla … and Dino.
Meet Kelsey’s other man
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This week, Kelsey introduces us to Bill (not to be confused with Alicia’s husband Billy), identified as “Kelsey’s other man.” Kelsey’s known him since seventh grade. Her parents are thrilled by the new relationship- her mom calls Bill her future son-in-law. Kelsey wants kids, and so does Bill. But her mystery boyfriend doesn’t – he already has kids of his own.
Bill is successful, but he can’t offer her the same lifestyle she’s used to. She might have to get a job! Which is probably why she signed on for Real Housewives.
Meet Alicia’s doll collection
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When Liz comes over to Alicia’s, she greets her as “Dolly,” only to be greeted by a large collection of actual dolls. It’s Alicia’s vast array of Rainbow High and American Girl dolls, not her 8-year-old’s. Alicia gushes that dolls are a form of art, raving about the design of their eyeshadow and all the different lip colors. But Liz is weirded out.
Alicia apologizes for asking Liz about Dino, and says she can ask an equally hot-button question- why aren’t she and Billy married yet? But Liz knows why. Alicia didn’t grow up around successful relationships. Her father left her mom and the kids with nothing, and she’s scared of that happening again. In fact, when Billy tried to get her to sign a prenup, he was going to leave her with very little. And her name isn’t on their house!
Liz wants Alicia to advocate for herself and find a job she’s passionate about. Alicia thinks about working with her favorite of Billy’s restrauants, Pizza Mama, as a decorator. In a confessional, Alicia admits that she thought being a stay at home wife girlfriend would be great, but it sucks. Kelsey, take notes!
Where does Rulla go with Brian?
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Rulla has her Lebanese friends over for a lunch of Lebanese cuisine (which was mostly catered). They talk about Rulla and Brian’s marriage, and how she wants to make it work for her kids. But the kids can tell something’s different.
Rulla claims she doesn’t want to get divorced because it’s not common in the Lebanese and Syrian culture. Then a producer brings up that she was already divorced before! Rulla declines to discuss that further. I need these producers to start asking some follow-up questions!
Ashley and Jared and Rosie and Rich
Photo Credit: Scott Eisen/Bravo
It’s an episode full of the Housewives checking in on their marriages/long-term relationships. Ashley has a rare date night with Jared, where the conversation inevitably turns to Audrey’s. As Jared lists the troublesome appliances, Ashley calls it a “money pit.” He admits to being insecure about the money. She feels sad that he works so hard and is still unfulfilled. Even when he’s not working long hours at Audrey’s, he’s there mentally.
Later, Rosie and Rich celebrate their one-year anniversary. Rosie doesn’t think she wants kids, but Rich insists she not rule it out. But Rosie doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes of her mom. She thinks her mom didn’t want to have kids and ended up resenting them. Rich keeps arguing she’ll want them in the next year or two. She says maybe five or ten years down the line – even when she’s her forties. Who cares if it’s harder to get pregnant, she’s going to make sure she looks 25.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island get down at Liz’s Studio 54 party
Photo Credit: Scott Eisen/Bravo
Liz’s Studio 54 party looks amazing. Drinks are served in tiny disco balls! She starts off in a disco ball dress (and has a costume change).
Kelsey admits she didn’t get the theme, but her outfit would make Cher proud. Alicia’s thrilled because she likes to dress like “a drug dealer’s wife,” meaning Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface. Jo-Ellen and Gary wear matching gold sequins. Ashley accidentally cut real bangs to go with her fake ones. Rosie hates her outfit, but she was too bloated from her period to wear the outfit she wanted to (been there, girl). Dolores also attends, also wearing a silver dress, making it difficult to tell which one is her and which is Liz. On the awkward car ride there, Rulla asks Brian what he thinks of her outfit, and he says it’s too revealing. Yikes.
Bill shows up at the party, but Kelsey insists it’s because he’s also friends with Gerry. Don’t call it a hard launch!
Soon enough, everyone gathers to watch Rulla and Brian versus Jo-Ellen and Gary, with Rosie as commentator. Gary keeps his promise to stand up for his wife. He brings up the calls to Jo-Ellen’s work right away. Brian unsuccessfully tries to downplay it. Overall, Brian comes off pretty badly. When Jo-Ellen says his affair is ongoing, he can’t even deny it. When they leave, he even says next Jo-Ellen will claim he was “at a Diddy freak-off.” Not helping, Brian!
Rulla wonders why it was so hard to deny the affair, and why he couldn’t stand up for her like Gary. Jo-Ellen wants to shake Rulla, but jokes it would “knock her hair topper off.”
Dino Disco Drama
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Kelsey is put off by Dino’s presence from the jump. She gets that it’s Liz’s attempt to squash the rumors by showing they’re all friends, but Kelsey thinks it gives rumors more credence. Kelsey also says she’s avoiding Dino. Hmm…
Later in the night, Liz tells Kelsey she wants to go to the sea wall with Dino and Gerry. Kelsey says that’s a bad idea because of “the ongoing…”
Liz is immediately pissed off. “Ongoing WHAT,” she asks, demanding Kelsey “f*ck off.” She storms up to her room and shouts from off-camera. The “do not enter” sign, a picture of Liz’s cat with hair extensions, is the piece de resistance of this absurdity.
During her rant, Liz shouts at Kelsey, “I don’t have anything to hide! Maybe you do … maybe you have the ‘ongoing!’ You have a lot more to hide than I do!” In a confessional, Liz references Kelsey’s story with Dino! A producer asks what we’re all wondering- how does Kelsey know Dino? Liz says ask Kelsey.
Alicia and Jo-Ellen check in, but Kelsey screams at them to leave. Then Liz kicks Kelsey out, shouting that she was never really her friend. That’s one way to end a party!
